Nursing care is provided to a patient population that is primarily in the 50-90 year age groups (adult and geriatric) with medical, surgical, detoxification and cardiac conditions requiring telemetry. Nursing care on 4 East is provided on a 24-hour basis by registered nurses licensed practical nurses and nursing support staff. The nursing process of assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation is applied in an ongoing, systematic manner to all patients. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The approving official may authorize a waiver of the requirement for ACEN or CCNE accreditation of any degree in nursing provided the college or university has regional accreditation from an accrediting body recognized by the Department of Education at the time of the candidate's graduation and the composite qualifications of the applicant warrant such consideration. In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. OR The completion of coursework equivalent to a nursing degree in a MSN Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration constitutes the completion of an approved course of study of professional nursing. Students should submit the certificate of professional nursing to sit for the NCLEX to the VA along with a copy of the MSN transcript. (Reference VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G6) OR In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of a current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. Current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or the District of Columbia. Preferred Experience: 1-2 years Medical/Surgical experience preferred Grade Determinations: The following criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade: Nurse I Level I - An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing, with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse I Level II - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 1 year of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a bachelor's degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience; OR a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse I Level III - An ADN or Diploma in Nursing and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR an ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a BSN with approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) or related field with a BSN and no additional nursing practice/experience. Nurse II - A BSN with approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR ADN or Diploma in Nursing and a Bachelor's degree in a related field and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Master's degree in nursing or related field with a BSN and approximately 1-2 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree in nursing or meets basic requirements for appointment and has doctoral degree in a related field with no additional nursing practice/experience required. Nurse III - Master's degree in nursing or related field with BSN and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience; OR a Doctoral degree and approximately 2-3 years of nursing practice/experience. Note regarding MSN degrees: If your MSN was obtained via a Bridge Program that qualifies for professional nursing registration, a BSN is not required. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6 Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: : Walking, bending, stooping and some lifting in the direct care of patients. There may also be extended periods of sitting ["* The 4 East staff are active participants in the interdisciplinary approach to meeting patient needs. Respiratory Therapy coverage is available 16 hours/day. Nursing staff administers respiratory treatments on night shift. The Dietitians and Social Worker evaluate each patient as needed. Patient education is a priority and is provided to all patients commensurate with their learning abilities and needs * Patient Care areas can include Surgical Service, Primary Care, Med/Surg, Urgent Care, Community Living Center, Mental Health, Home Care, Telehealth, Whole Health, and VA Community Care (VACC). The practice of each nurse is based on skill, experience, and research and has a direct impact on client outcomes for the assigned area and the facility as a whole. * The function of the Registered Nurse is to provide, direct, and supervise the delivery of quality nursing care to a culturally diverse veteran population. * The RN possesses the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively apply all aspects of the nursing process within a collaborative, interdisciplinary practice setting. This broad-based clinical knowledge enables the RN to effectively implement health promotion and prevention interventions, manage acute and chronic illness states, assist veterans in the attainment of optimal levels of functioning through rehabilitation, and provide supportive measures for the dying patient and their significant others. * The registered nurse possesses the knowledge and skills necessary to: - Communicate and interact appropriately and courteously with internal and external customers. - Maintain confidentiality of patient/employee information electronically, verbally, and written. - Work and function within a safe manner including infection control and operation of equipment. - Integrate and apply pertinent aspects of the Medical Center performance improvement program into his/her professional practice. - Utilize nursing research and literature in daily practice. - Report errors/omissions in a timely manner to appropriate staff member/supervisor. * The registered nurse demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age related and population specific needs of the patient served in his/her assigned service area. This knowledge includes an understanding of the changes associated with aging and principles of growth and development relevant to the adult and geriatric population. He/she must be able to assess and interpret data relating to the patient's current health status, which will facilitate the delivery of care appropriate to the age specific and population specific needs of the adult and geriatric patient. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Pay: Competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Work Schedule: 6:00pm - 6:00am Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.